Truss-pad.



W. H. VAN FOSSEN.

TRUSS PAD.

APPLICATION FILED MAILZZ, 1933.

1,1 1 9, 128. Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

WITNESSES INVENTOI? William H .Vcm Tavb m .wxvug, I g Mafi @W/ M Q I WILL1A1VI. H. VAN FossEN; or EUREKA, ILLINOIS.

TRUss-PAD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

.' Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application filed March 22, 1913. Serial No; 756,202.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. VAN Fos 'sEN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Eureka, in the county of Woodford and StateofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Truss-Pads, of which thefollowin is a specification, 'reference being had t erein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to truss pads and has for its object the production of a simple and efficient pad which may be so attached to the body as to constitute a vacuum cup whereby the flesh will be drawn together under the cup in such a manner as to cause the ruptured parts or muscles to become united. I

Another object of this invention is the production of a simple and efficient cup formed of a circular type in such a manner as to hold the ruptured parts of the body closely together and cause the same to quickly heal.

A still further object of this invention is the production of a simple and eflicient means for attaching the supporting spring to the cup of the pad.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is aview of the inner portion of the cup of the pad. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the cup. Fig. 3 is a rear View of the cup. Fig. 4 is a "central transverse sectional view through the cup taken on line 1-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a top plan View of the cup showing the connecting plate removed therefrom. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of the rubber covering protector for the pad.

By referring to the drawings by numerals it will be seen that the pad comprises a circular cup 1 having its outer edge provided with a bead portion 2 for creating a smooth edge to engage the flesh of the body so as to cause the cup to easily adhere thereto. The cup is so formed as to be provided with a hollow body 3 and a projecting thimblelike knob 4 is formed centrally of the hollow body 3 and projects beyond the edge 5 of the body 1. This knob 4 is adapted to engage the body adjacent the ruptured portion thereof and by having the edges 5 of the cuprshaped body engaging the flesh around the ruptured portion of the body, it will be seen that the body will be so drawn together and held in this position as to cause the in jured parts to adhere together. It should be understood that when the body 1 is placed upon the flesh the same is forced tightly upon the flesh so as to cause a vacuum within the hollow body and in view of this fact it will be seen that the body will bekept normally warm around the cap 1 thereby assisting in the healing of the fractured or ruptured. parts.

The body 1 is provided with a convex outer face 6 and upon this convex outer face 6 is placed a metallic plate 7. This metallic plate 7 is securely held in engagement with the bodyl by means of the screws 8. These screws 8 are pitched at an angle so as to have their pointed ends converge toward each other and it will, therefore, be seen that the plate 7 will not only be held in engagement with the body 1 through the medium of the gripping feature of the screws but will also be held firmly in engagement with thebody owing to-the pitchedposition of the screws which position of the screws will greatly assist in rigidly holding the plate in engagement with the body 1. A central aperture 9 is formed in the plate 7 and through this aperture passes the reduced neck 10 of the pivotally connecting ball 11 which rests in a socket 12 formed in the upper face of the body. It will, therefore, be seen that a slight rotary movement may be had to the body 1 independently of the securing spring 13. This securing spring 13 is secu ely fastened to the neck 10 by means of the enlarged head 14. This spring 13 isin turn connected to a rubber coated spring 15' which spring is adapted to pass around thebody in the usual manner for holding the vacuum or truss cup in engagement with the wearer.

. From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very eflicient and durable device has been produced which constitutes a circular body to be worn by a person in such a manner as to cause the ruptured parts of the body to be drawn and held together in such a manner as to allow theparts to heal. It will be further understood that a very eflicient fastening device has been produced for connecting the body of the pad to the supporting spring. Of course, it should be understood that this body of the pad may be formed of hard rubber or any other fastening means for the purpose specified.

The present device is especially adapted for use in ruptures and it should be understood that the same may be efliciently used by placing the body under the pubic bone so as to prevent the rubbing of the cap or pad upon this bone While being Worn I by a person.

As is clearly illustrated in Figs. .4 and 6, I provide .athin rubber covering for the pad yvhich Will act as an efiicient closure for the pad and snugly 'fit against the body of the wearer so as to constitute a comfortable body gripping portion and prevent the irritation of the body at the point of contact with the pad. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the protector or rubber casing consists of a body portion 16 which is provided with a reduced neck portion 17 in order to fit snugly upon the-back of the pad 1. This body portion 16 is formed of elastic material, preferably of white thin rubber, so as to stretch over thepad and fit snugly thereon While placed in an operative position.

lggpies ofthis patent may be obtained for and covering said knob,- said cover being stretched from said knobto the edgeof said body for constituting a yieldable cover, Y therefor, and said flexible cover. provided with a wide inturned periphery fitting over the rear faceof-said body and constituting an efiicient 'means for holding said flexible cover upon sa-idbody, whereby the :interior of said body will be held against corrosion and in this manner will be kept sanitary.

In testimony whereofl hereunto aflix my signature in presence of twowitnesses. WILLIAM. H. VAN FOSSEN. Witnesses:

W. E. BENNETT, A. V. S. BAIRD.

fi nts ach, by eddre ine hc S mmi ion r o .letn s, Washington, Q. 1 

